10 Apple Recipes for the Holiday Season

Yes! Ambassador
10 Apple Recipes for the Holiday Season
by Yes! Apples Ambassador Josh Lehenbauer, creator of joshisbaking.com and @joshisbaking.

 

Apple season is here, friends and it’s time to celebrate with some of the best apple recipes that are perfect for the holidays. Whether you need some apple muffins, pies, cookies, or cake, this list has it all. Grab some Yes! Apples and happy baking! 

 

1. Apple Biscoff Cheesecake Bars

These delectable Apple Biscoff Cheesecake Bars truly deliver on several fronts. It starts with that buttery Biscoff cookie crust, followed by a creamy cheesecake layer. That’s then topped with some cinnamon-spiced apples and finished off with a brown sugar oatmeal crumble. Yes please! | by Josh Lehenbauer

Suggested Apple Variety: EverCrisp®, Honeycrisp, SweeTango®

 

2. Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake

When a French apple cake and caramel cheesecake come together for some apple magic, you’re left with this Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake. A moist and tender cinnamon apple cake layer on the bottom and a caramel cheesecake top that is utterly creamy and indulgent. Simple to achieve and guaranteed to impress! | by Elizabeth Buuck

Suggested Apple Variety: Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, HoneycrispPink Lady (try combining two!)

 

3. Easy Apple Loaf with Extra Crunchy Pecans

Cozy up by the fire with a mug of warm tea and this apple loaf! It’s filled with warm spices, juicy shredded apples, and then topped with some sugary crushed pecans. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of that soft middle and crunchy outside. It’s also not overly sweet, so you get to enjoy every last taste of those apples inside! | by Josh Lehenbauer

Suggested Apple Variety: Ambrosia, FujiGalaSnapDragon®

 

4. Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Looking for fluffy and moist muffins to add to your yearly fall baking list? Look no further! These Apple Cinnamon Muffins check off all the boxes. They’re topped with a delicious and golden brown butter crumble and finished with a vanilla bean glaze drizzled on top. The perfect fall muffin! | by Mike Johnson

Suggested Apple Variety: Ambrosia, Fuji, GalaHoneycrispPink Lady (try combining two!)

 

5. Flaky Apple Pie (with step-by-step guide!)

Always looking to tackle that classic apple pie, but overwhelmed by the process? Maybe your filling is spot on, but crust could be flakier? Then this guide (and recipe) are for you, friends! Finally master the apple pie this year with that much sought-after flaky crust and juicy-sweet apple filling. It’s crunchy, sweet, and packed full of flavor. You’ll also find a complete breakdown of every step—photos included! Fear the apple pie no more, bakers. | by Josh Lehenbauer

Suggested Apple Variety: CortlandGolden DeliciousHoneycrispPink Lady

 

6. Bakery-Style Apple Fritter Donuts

If you’ve ever visited a market or bakery in the fall, you may have stumbled across an apple fritter or two. Now you can recreate that apple goodness at home with these Bakery-Style Apple Fritter Donuts! Small bits of crisp apples are mixed with soft cinnamon yeasted dough and then fried to golden brown perfection, before covered in a sweet, simple glaze. An apple lover's dream! | by Callan Wenner

Suggested Apple Variety: HoneycrispPink Lady

 

7. Fresh Apple Oatmeal Cookies

These Fresh Apple Oatmeal Cookies are like a big, warm, and welcome hug. They’re filled with chopped pecans, freshly diced apples, plus cinnamon and cardamom spice. They’ve got crispy brown edges and super soft middles—you can count me in! Super easy to whip up and, while they need some time to chill before baking, the wait is well worth it. Trust me! | by Josh Lehenbauer

Suggested Apple Variety: Ambrosia, Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp

 

8. Apple Hand Pies

Looking to capture the essence of an apple pie, but not feeling as ambitious? Or maybe you need something for a party that’s easier to dish and share? These apple hand pies will do the trick and are a fun little twist on the classic apple pie recipe. A cooked apple filling lies below a flaky sharp cheddar pie dough. These can also be made ahead of time to bake at a moment’s notice, which is perfect when time is of the essence around the holidays! | by Erin Clarkson

Suggested Apple Variety: Gala, Golden DeliciousHoneycrispPink Lady

 

9. Apple Pastry Rings with Vanilla Bean Glaze

These flaky, sweet, and fall-spiced apple pastry rings are like a delicious fall pastry donut that’ll have you absolutely reaching for seconds! They may look intimidating, but there are not too many ingredients and I've included photos in the blog to help break down the process. It’s an absolute dream to bite through the vanilla bean glaze on top of the flaky puff pastry with that soft, juicy apple in the middle. A dream, I tell you! | by Josh Lehenbauer

Suggested Apple Variety: HoneycrispSweeTango®

 

10. Apple Cranberry Crumble Pie

Apple and cranberry lovers alike may have found their new favorite recipe for the holidays! This pie has a flaky, all-butter crust with a tender apple and cranberry filling. You’ll caramelize the fruit with some brandy and maple syrup first to help boost those flavors and add depth to the whole dish. Serve warm and with generous scoops of ice cream! Definitely give this Apple Cranberry Crumble Pie a try, friends. | by Laura Kasavan

Suggested Apple Variety: CortlandGolden DeliciousHoneycrispPink Lady